Guided Tours

Dark Sky Indoor Cultural Astronomy Experience

Interactive installations at Mount Cook Dark Sky Indoor Cultural Astronomy Experience, New Zealand.

Mount Cook stargazing tour with telescopes and interactive astronomy displays.

Highlights

Discover how traditional Māori knowledge comes together with the cosmos, using legends, and navigational techniques such as the “star compass” in a 45-minute guided experience.
Enjoy dynamic multimedia installations, theatrical lighting, and immersive soundscapes across 4 zones, in a dark, lesser light-polluted area that is best for star-gazing.
Located at the Dark Sky Project astronomy center in Lake Tekapo—nestled within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve—this indoor experience is available all year.
Look at the sky at a custom-built planetarium that provides a breathtaking 360-degree view of the cosmos, through a modernized star compass – kāpehu whetū that requires the user to know the positions of at least 220 stars!
Fun fact: Experience a unique guided tour weaving ancient Māori astronomical wisdom—Tātai arorangi—with modern science and storytelling.

Inclusions

45-minute guided Dark Sky experience
Entry to Dark Sky Project Base
English/Mandarin-speaking guides

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Your experience

A cosmic journey through Māori star stories

Step into a custom-built, fully indoor planetarium offering a breathtaking 360-degree view of the universe, all year round. Your journey begins with narrations of Māori mythology and Tātai arorangi—the ancient astronomical knowledge. Expert guides tell you how early navigators used the kāpehu whetū—a mental “star compass” incorporating the positions of over 220 stars—to steer their ships across the vast Pacific. Learn how celestial wonders like Matariki (the Pleiades), associated with the deity Tāwhirimātea, not only signaled the Māori New Year but also set the ideal times for planting, harvesting, and gatherings.

Discover the cosmos from a unique cultural perspective

This interactive journey reveals traditional storytelling and astronomical observations. Explore how each quadrant of the star compass—divided into distinct "whare" (houses)—was used not only for navigation but also as a spiritual map, linking celestial bodies to atua (gods) and tipua (ancestral beings). Hear legendary tales such as that of Tāne Mahuta, whose journey to the heavens symbolizes the quest for knowledge and wisdom in Māori culture. Learn about pioneering navigators like Hekenukumai Busby, whose construction of voyaging waka reignited ancient practices, and master navigator Jack Thatcher, who translated the star compass into te reo Māori. Whether you’re a space enthusiast or a curious traveler, this immersive tour offers exploration of the cosmos through the lens of Māori heritage.

Know before you go

What to bring

Summer (November to March): thermal wear, long pants, socks, sneakers, jersey, jacket and hat.
Winter (April to October): thermal wear, warm long pants, woolen socks, hiking boots or sturdy footwear that covers the ankle, jersey, snow jacket, gloves, scarf and hat.

What's not allowed

Flash photography is strictly prohibited at the venue.
No glowing, flashing or light up shoes or clothing are permitted.

Accessibility

This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.

My tickets

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.
Please arrive at the meeting point 15 mins before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.
Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.